The Ravens gave Rashod Bateman an extension, and now there’s pressure on him to deliver
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) – Rashod Bateman’s new contract came as a bit of a surprise this offseason – to the Baltimore receiver himself.
“I had no idea what would happen to me. “I had no idea if I would stay here, get traded, or anything else,” Bateman remarked. “That extension was unanticipated and unplanned. I am undoubtedly blessed. That’s not what I observed them doing.
In his three seasons with the Ravens, Bateman has had his moments, but injuries kept him from having a significant early-season impact. The following year, 2023, he was largely healthy but came in sixth place on the squad in receiving yards. Nevertheless, the Ravens extended his deal for two more years in April, and since Odell Beckham Jr. is no longer with the team, Bateman may be needed more in the future.
“It shows that they believe in me, believe in my work, my ethic, the team believes in me,” Bateman said. “I love playing here. I love this organization. I love the fans. So I feel like I’ve still got a lot to do.”
The Ravens took Bateman in the first round in 2021 out of Minnesota. He was limited to 12 games as a rookie but nevertheless managed to catch 46 receptions for 515 yards. Then, because to foot issues, his second season was cut short after six games. Last season, he saw 16 games and recorded 32 receptions for 367 yards.
This summer, Baltimore had to decide how to handle Bateman’s fifth-year option. His performance hadn’t made the decision clear.
For instance, following a strong season with the Houston Texans, Nico Collins, who was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft two rounds after Bateman, just inked a significant three-year extension. In 2023, Collins recorded 1,297 receiving yards, which is more than Bateman has in his three seasons combined.
“I wouldn´t say it´s untapped potential. The ball just hasn´t found him in situations,” receivers coach Greg Lewis said. “He comes out here every day and shows what he´s capable of doing, whether it´s practice and then when he gets opportunities in the game, he does that. It´s just about more and more opportunities, and then more and more production will come from him.”
In the end, the Ravens chose to extend Bateman’s contract through 2026.
“This year, I am really looking forward to seeing Rashod. Soon after the agreement was reached, general manager Eric DeCosta remarked, “I think his best football is ahead of him.” Thus, getting him back seemed like the obvious choice. It’s what he had desired. It is what we were hoping for.”
Since Bateman, the Ravens have selected receivers in the first round of 2023 for Zay Flowers and the fourth round this year for Devontez Walker. Last season, Flowers excelled as a rookie.
However, Beckham moved to Miami, so it seems like Bateman will have every chance to have the breakthrough season that has eluded him thus far.
I consider myself fortunate to be well. It doesn’t matter to me how many balls I get. “I don’t care if Todd Monken, the offensive coordinator, calls the play for me,” Bateman remarked. “The only thing that I can control, man, is what I control, and that´s getting open when I can, blocking when I can.”
Monken anticipates that Bateman will gain from having a healthy offseason, something he lacked the previous year. The 24-year-old receiver is obviously still very talented.
After practice on Thursday, Nate Wiggins, a rookie cornerback selected in the first round of this season by Baltimore, was asked who the toughest Ravens receiver is to face in
Bateman, most likely, Wiggins said. “He´s just shifty (and) has a lot of quickness in the route.”
